Last centering device



June 23, 1936. RE NHAR T -2;045,310 LAST CVENTERING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1935 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l 12106117011 Loan;

nlzandl Patented June 23, 1936 PATENT OFFICE- 2,045,310. I LAST CENTERINGIDEVICE Louis W. Reinhardt, Brockton, Mass, assignor to George E. :Belcher Company, Stoughton, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 13, 1935, Serial No. 6,395

21 Claims: I (Cl. 144-278) This invention relates to improvements in last centering devices for use in marking the turning axis of lasts that have been reblocked for remodeling. 1 p

, In recent years, the problem of remodeling lasts has become of increasing importance because of the economies permitted. As most style changes occur in the fore part of a shoe, remodeling of a last may be efiected by adding stock where needed in to the fore part by wedges or blocks.

In my .co-pending application, Serial No. 699,570, filed November 24, 1933, I have shown my solution of the problem by cuttingthe outmoded last along the waist line and replacing the 3:5 removed portion of the fore part by firmly securing a block of wood of sufficient size to provide for the dimensions of the new model. It is the marking of the turning axis on such reblocked lasts in which the reblock effects this replace- 2;) ment of the ball zone that gives rise to the'problem which my present invention solves. I

I am aware that various centering devices have already been made for use in last making. Most of these have been designed to hold the last in :5 position to receive the center punches, and to effect this support, both vertical and lateraljhas generally been provided for the heel and toe zones.

In accurately marking the turning axison lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line wherefno in accurate basis of supportis available for the fore part of the last, the devices of the prior art have no utility except for preliminary purposes. These preliminary adjustments follow the analysis of necessary last support shown in the patent to 33 George Clausing, No. 1,052,217. U

The particular problem that I had to solve had its origin in the fact that with lasts'reblocked forwardly of the waist line the only available finished surfaces were rearwardly" ofthe jvaist line 1) and, therefore, the lasts had to be'supportedr'eafwardly of their point of balance.

My concept contemplates'an adjustable cradle for the last rearwardly of the waist line. Such a cradle is adapted to be adjusted to any style or size and includes members that are. adjustable to the contours of a model last at the edges of the last bottom in the front of the heel zone andat suitable points on the sides of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist line with the last bottom. With these membersaccurately adjusted, reblocked lasts may be held by the operator with their rear parts'inse'a'ted position in the cradle and accurate -c'entering-is ensured. I also contemplate mechanism so that after adjustment of the device to'the style'and nary operations necessary to the accurate adjustment of my novel device.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of my device with a reblocked last in position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my device. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary partly sectioned'view along the lines 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary partly sectioned view along the lines 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. .5 is a fragmentary view along the lines 55 ofFigrl with the last removed showing the details of the temporary support shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view, illustrating an adaptor for adjusting the lateral supporting means for the sides of thelast to accommodate size changes.

Fig. 7 is a view of a last indicating the zones of support available for preliminarypurposes, and

Fig. 8 is a top plan view, analyzing the most suitable available points of contour to permit the reblocked last to be accurately seated. i

In devices according to my invention I provide a bed I suitably supported by legs 2. Aheel punch 3 is mounted a desired distance from the bed I inan upright 4 which is secured to the bed I by bolts 5 through the flange 6. Secured to the upright 4 is a plate I having a V-shaped notch 8 in vertical alignment with the heel punch 3. I preferably form the other end of the bed I with a centrally disposed groove 9 to guide the slide I0 on the bottom of the flange II of the upright I2 which carries a suitable toe punch I3 The groove '9 is slotted as at I4 to receive the bolt I 5 which .locks the flange I I to the bed I when the upright in alignment with the heel punch 3.

I2 has been positioned a desired distance from the upright 4.

Between the uprights 4 and I2, the bed I has acenter slot I6 of desired length.

- In Fig. '7, I have indicated a model last L, and

by arrows I have suggested areas at which vertical support can be provided for'the last ,L, and

at points marked X I have indicated the general zones at which lateral support may be provided to hold the last L in the proper position. It will be noted that a wide choice is permitted in selecting the points of support both forwardly and rearwardly of the waist line W. As the last L could thus be supported in desired position, the relatively flat surface of the ball zone and the center of the heel with suitable uprights at each point were customarily used.

In Fig. 8, a last L is shown which has been reblocked as at B forwardly of the waist line W. The sides of the block B may be trimmed in the rear or only one side may be cut as shown in Fig. 8. This cut is of primary value in turning the reblocked last, but it also permits the lateral supporting members to be positioned close to the turning axis. It will be noted that, forwardly of the waist line W, there is no available .place for support except the unfinished surfaces of the block B. As it is undesirableto utilize these surfaces, it is necessary to provide vertical support atthe vpoints marked with a cross (X) and a lateral support at the points indicated 'by arrows so that the last L though not supported may beaccurately seated. That is, since it "isn'ot possible to support the'reblocked last in'b'alanced position as is old in the art I propose to utilize the uneven contours to ensure the proper positioning of the last and to prevent movement of a reblocked last L after it has been seated. In order to do this, I "first follow the old practice by supporting a model last in my device.

In so doing, I utilize a threaded head I! to support the "rear center of the heel of a model last L in desired position relative 'to the heel .punch 3. The threaded head I! -may be verti- Cally adjusted in a stern l8 which is slidably mounted in a bushing l9 centrally disposed in a cross member 20 and extending through the groove 16.

I alsoiprovid'e a cross'plate 2 I which has ac'entrally positioned bushing 22 extending through the groove 16 and being adapted to receive the stem 23 (see Fig. 5). The stem 23 carries a cross arm "24 upon which are slidably mounted the blocks '25. which may be clamped onto the plate -24 in desired position by the set screws 26. The block's'25, which support the last bottom, carry uprights '21 adapted to provide lateral support forflthe model 'last while it is being centered.

The bed I is provided with grooves -2B oneach side of the's lot IS. A lock'pin 29 depending from thebottom of the plate 24 extends through holes :30 in the'cross plate 2| into either of the grooves 28 so that the cross arm 24 will be held against rotation whether positioned for right or 'forle'ft 'la'sts.

As themo'del lasts L may be of any 'size and style, thethreaded head I! is longitudinally movatile as the cross member 20 is clamped to the bed 'I by bolts 3| through slots 32 (see Fig. 2). 'Afterthe threaded head I7 'has been positioned properly, the stem l8 is adjusted vertically to any 's'ho'e 'siz'e which may be assumed 'to be a size 8. 'Tliis'vertic'al adjustment of the rod 18 is effected by mechanism 'to be later described. The threadet'l'he'ad -l'| is then adjusted relative to the rod l8 until it will support a heel so that'its turning axis mightbe marked by'th'e heel punch 3. i V The stem 23 is then vertically adjusted to the same shoe size (8) and the blocks '25 are adjusted until the uprights 21 are properly spaced for lateral support. The stem 23 may be then moved longitudinally until the turning axis of the model last is in alignment with the toe punch 13. This longitudinal movement of the stem 23 is permitted as the cross plate 2| is adjustably clamped to the bed I by the headed screws 3! which pass through slots 34 in the cross plate 2! and have their threaded ends engaged with recesses 33 tapped to receive them.

It is now necessary to adjust my device to receive a reblocked last L I utilize a cross mem- :ber 35 (see Fig. 3) centrally of which there is a bushing 36 extending through the slot l6 which receivesthe stem 31. The stem 3'! carries a cross bar 38 upon which are slidably mounted blocks 39 which may be locked to the bar 38 by set screws 40. The bar 38 has two slots 4i and 42 through which the bolts 43 and 44 threaded through the blocks 39 extend. Below the bar 38 the bolts 43 and 44 are provided with nuts 45 between which and the blocks 39 are springs 46 adapted to keep the bolts 43 and 44 from accidentally turning.

The stem 3'! may be vertically adjusted to a desired shoe size (8) by means to be later described and the bolts 42 and 44 are adjusted to 'b'eara'gainst the sides of the last bottom in the of the'heel. ('See Fig. 3.) The stem 3'! may be removed and'the positions of the bolts 63 and '44 'may be reversed to permit centering of right lasts and to'prevent its rotation the member 35 is provided with pin holes 41 to receive a pin 48 depending from the cross bar 38.

'I'norder to accommodate lasts of all style sizes,

provide'a structure that permits the cross memb'er '3'5 to be carried with the cross piece 28 in longitudinal "adjustment of the cross piece 23, 'but in order to accommodate extremely freakish 'las'tsYI also provide for the separate longitudinal adjustment of the member 35. To do this, I provide themember 20 with a screw and the bar or member 35 is provided with a nut 50 adapted to travel over the screw 59. The member 35 is provided with a pointer 51 which is referable to a scale plate 52 attached to the "bed I bymea'ns of bolts 53 through the slots at "inthepl'ate 52. l A cross piece 55 is secured to the bed I for longitudinal adjustment as by bolts 55 through sIot'sliS in the cross piece 55 and carries a bush- I The videdw'itha pin 63 and the block 66 carries an Each of the .upright 64 provided with a pin 65. uprights 62 and 64 is provided with vertical slots t'zi tofipermit the pins 63 and 65 to be vertically adjusted. "This may be effected, as is shown in 'Fig.'6,by forming each pin with a flange 53 and threadingit to receive the nut 63. A plurality of adaptor caps '66 having external length of dif- 'ferent dimensions representing suitable sizes are provided for the pins 63 and 85. A size 8 cap 'isipla'c'ed on each of the pins 63 and S5 and the uprights are then adjusted laterally until the caps 66 contact each side of the model last L (see 'From'Fig. 4 it will be apparent that the block B on the reblocked last L and varied contours of thesides of a last in this zone present serious problems. :For that reason, the pins 63 and 65 are disposed sufliciently above the cross strip 53 'to'avoidtheblock B. As the block B is substantially c'enteredin relation to the last L it is 73 necessary for one pin 65 to be-higher thanthe other pin 63 to contact the outer side- (the lasts shown in'th'efdrawings being left lasts) of the last at a pointthe same distance from the last center as that contacted by the cap 66 on the pin 63 on the opposite or inside of the last.

In order to define the desired points of lateral support, it is first convenient to locate'themin reference to a hinged last. With a last of that type, the support is provided'substantially over the forward part of the hinge assembly. The first impression of a cross section through this zone (see Fig. 4) is that it is extremely asymmetrical, but if analyzed it will be. seen that .the upper portion tends to have respective symmetry. Below that portion, while there isno suggestion of symmetry, it will be noted that the.:outwardly sloping surfaces present a minimum departure from respective symmetry, I support areblocked last at points giving it'the effect of having respective symmetry, which points are as far forward on the reblocked last as the reblock permits at points and where minimuin'vertical adjustments are required to support the last laterally as if having respective symmetry. These points will be found to be along that portion of the last having a relatively constant maximum-width so that minimum lateral adjustments are required.

To permit the relative position of the pins 63 and 65 to be reversed and to hold the strip 58 from rotation, the strip 58 is provided with a pin 61 which enters either of the pin holes 68.

In order that my device may be easily adjusted to accommodate either right or left lasts, the strips 58 and 38 are marked in any desired way as by L and B so that the proper position may be readily ascertained.

After these adjustments have been made, the stem 23 and supports carried thereby are removed and the device is adapted'to receive, a reblocked last. Such a last is not held in position by the members above referred to, but'they serve to define the contour sothat lasts may be accu rately seated in the cradle. I

If lasts of the same style, but of different sizes are to be centered, adjustments are made in the following manner.

Each of the bushings I9, 22, and 36 carries a plate 69 under the bed I. Each plate 69 is formed with an arm 10 to which is secured a vertical plate 'Il adapted to be marked with a size scale. Each plate 69 is also provided with a stud 12 slotted as at 13 to receivea lever 14 which is adapted tobear against the rounded ends 15 of the rods. The lever I4 is positioned to lie against the vertical plate 'H- which is provided with an arc-shaped slot 16 through which and. the lever 14 there is a bolt which with the wing nut 11 permits the lever 14 to be locked to the plate H to hold the rod in desired position and to permit rapid readjustment to different sizes. After these readjustments, the cap 66 on the pins 63 and 65 are replaced by caps 66 of the rightsize.

While centering reblocked lasts in my device may seem to require many adjustments when contrasted with the simple equipment needed when some part of the fore part could be supported, the adjustments are simple and accurate'and my invention provides the solution of problems resulting from reblocking lasts forwardly of the waist line.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a last centering devicefa bed, aligned heel and toe center punches mounted on said bed,

adjusted 'tocradle' theheel of a last,'said means a plurality of means mounted'onsaid bed and adapted to be adjusted to the contour of-a centered lastrearwardly of its-waist line, said cone tour being generally defined by lines diverging from'the center of the rear portion of the heel 5 through the outer edge of the front of the. heel to the sides of the upper portion substantially over the intersection of the waistline and the last bottom 'Whereby'necessary vertical and 'lateral support is afforded'to permit lasts 'reblocked forwardly of the waist line .to be positioned in said device and accurately centered. 2. In a device for markingthe turning axis on lasts reblocked forwardly of the waistline, aligned heel and toe punches, means adapted t0 be adjustedto cradle the heel of a last, said means including'a support for the rear center of said heel and a support for each edge. of the front of the heel. zone, and means adapted to be adjusted to provide lateral support for the last upper 20 adjacent the reblock at points requiring minimum adjustment to support said last upper as if having respective symmetry.

In a device for marking 'the' turningiaxis on lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line,'a bed, 25

aligned heel and toe punches supporteda fixed distance from said bed, means mounted on said bed 'for longitudinal movement and adapted to be adjusted to cradle the heel of a lastfsaid means including a support for the rear center of'said heel and a support for each edge of the front 'of the heel zone and means adapted to be adjusted to contact each side of the last upper'adjacent the reblock in a zone in which the vertically sloping surfaces have customarily a minimum departure from respective symmetry, said second named means comprising a cross member detachably mounted on said bed, a pair of uprights secured to said memberfor lateral adjustment, a pin carried in each upright, one of said pins being higher than 0 the other to overlie the outer last edge to permit said uprights to provide space for the blockedfore part, and means to adjust said pins to accommo "da'telasts of different sizes. I

4. In a device for marking the turning axis on lasts reblocked forwardly of the waistline, a bed,

aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed .distance from said bed, means mounted ons'aid bed for longitudinal movement and adapted to be including a support. for the rear center of said ,heel and a-support for each edge of the front of the heel zone,-andmeans adapted to'be adjusted to contact each side of the last upper substantial- .ly-over the intersection of the-waist line with the sole, said second-named means comprising a cross member detachably mounted on, said bed, a pair of uprights secured to said member for lateral adjustment, a pin carried in each upright; one of said pins being higher than the other to overlie the; outer last edge to permit .said uprights to be positioned equally from the center; to provide space, for the blocked fore part, 'meansto adjust ,said pins to accommodate lasts of different sizes, andla-plurality. of'caps for said pins, said caps to contact each s'ideof the. last'up'per substantially over the intersection of the waist line with the sole to cooperate with said first named means in aligning said lasts, and an adjustable temporary support for the fore part of a model last to cooperate with said support for the rear center of the heel in determining adjustment of said second lnamed. supports and said second named means.

6. In a device for marking the turning axis on lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, aligned heel and toe punches, means adapted to cradle the heel of a last, said means including a support for the rear center of said heel and a support for each edge of the front of the heel zone, means for vertically and longitudinally adjusting said supports, means adapted to contact each side-of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist line with the sole to cooperate with said first named means in aligning said lasts, means for laterally and vertically adjusting said upper contacting means, and .a temporary support for the fore part of a model last to-cooperate with said support for the rear center'of theheel in determining adjustment of said second named heel supports and said upper contacting means and means vertically or longitudinally adjusting said temporary support.

7 In a device for marking the turning axis on lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, aligned heel and toe punches, means adapted to be adjusted to cradle the heel of a last, said means including a support for 'the rear center of said heel and 'a support for each edge of the front of the heel zone, means adapted to be adjusted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist line with the sole to=cooperate with said first named means in aligning said lasts, an adjustable temporary support for the fore part of a model last to cooperate with said support for the rear center of theheel in determining adjustment ofsaid second named supports and said second named means, and said lastlnamed support including a portion adapted to bear against the sole of a'model last and a pair of laterally adjustable uprights adapted to provide lateral support.

-8. Ina device for :marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly 'of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe'center punches mounted for longitudinal movement on said bed, a plurality of means mounted on :said bed and adapted to be adjusted to the countour of a centered last rearwardly of its waist line, said contour being gen- -erally deiined by lines diverging from the center of the rearportion of the heel through the outer edge of the front of the heel to the sides of the upper portion substantially over the intersection of the waistline and the last bottom, and means for adjusting saidmeans to accommodate lasts of different sizes. 7

9. In a device for marking the turning axis of lastsreblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, a plurality of means of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, a support for the rear center of the heel of a last, a pair of supports independently adjustable to the contour of the edges of the last bottom in the front of the heel zone, said supports being detachably mounted in said bed means for longitudinally and vertically adjusting said supports, a member detachably mounted on said bed to provide lateral support for the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, and means for holding said detachable members at right angles to the turning axis, whereby right and left lasts may be accurately centered by reversing said detachable members.

11. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line,

a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, means carried by said bed and being adapted to cradle a reblocked last in desired position relative to said punches, said means including a member adapted to support the rear center of the heel of a last, a pair or members to support the edges of the last bottom in the front of the heel zone, means to permit said members to be independently adjusted, and supports adapted to contact the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means for longitudinally and vertically adjusting said members in relation to said bed and to each other, and means adapted to permit said upper contacting supports to be vertically and laterally adjusted independently of each other.

12. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line,

:a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, means adapted to cradle a reblocked last in desired position relative to said punches, said means including a member adapted to support the rear center of the heel of a last, a pair of members to supmembers vertically of said bed for lasts of different sizes.

13. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, means carried by said bed and being-adapted to cradle a reblocked last in desired position relative to said punches, said means including a member adapted to support the rear center of the heel of a last, a pair of members to support the edges of the last bottom in the front of the heel zone, means to permit said members to be independently adjusted, and supports adapted to contact the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, a cross member on said bed for each of said hee'l contacting members,

means to permit said crossmembers to be adjusted longitudinally of said bed and of each other, a bushing in each of said cross members, a plate-secured to each of said bushings, a scale plate secured to said plate, a lever pivotally secured to said plate and extending under said bushing and against said heel contacting member, and means for locking said lever in desired position to said scale plate whereby said vertical supports may be adjusted to accommodate lasts of varying sizes.

14. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts, aligned heel and toe punches, a cradle adapted to permit a last to be held in desired relation to said punches, said cradle comprising a support for the rear center of the heel, a support for each edge of the last bottom forwardly of the heel zone, a support for each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the Waist and sole lines, means adapted to permit the adjustment of said supports to contact a last of a given style, and means adapted to permit said supports to be rapidly readjusted to different sizes of said style.

15. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts, aligned heel and toe punches, a cradle adapted to permit a last to be held in desired relation to said punches, said cradle comprising a support for the rear center of the heel, a support for each edge of the last bottom forwardly of the heel zone, a support for each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means adapted to permit the adjustment of said supports to contact a last of a given style, means adapted to permit said supports to be rapidly readjusted to different sizes of said style, and reversible means adapted to permit said device to accommodate right or left lasts.

16. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, aligned heel and toe punches, a cradle for a last, said cradle including supports for the heel zone of a last bottom and guides adapted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means adapted to permit said cradle to be adjusted to the contour of a model last, and means adapted to permit said cradle to be readjusted to accommodate lasts of different sizes.

17. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, aligned heel and toe punches, a cradle for a last, said cradle including supports for the heel zone of a last bottom and guides adapted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means adapted to permit said cradle to be adjusted to the contour of a model last, means adapted to permit said cradle. to be readjusted to accommodate lasts of different sizes, and means adapted to permit right and left lasts to be cradled.

18. Apparatus for marking the longitudinal turning axis in a last comprising aligned heel and toe punches and means for positioning said last in axial alignment with said punches, including a cradle for the last adapted to support the last rearwardly of the waist line thereof, said cradle comprising a support for the bottom of the last heel, and a member disposed transversely of the last carrying a pair of independently laterally and longitudinally adjustable guides adapted to be set to engage the upper of the last at opposed points and substantially over the intersection of waist line and last bottom.

19. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, a three point support for the heel zone of the last bottom carried by said bed and defining a triangle having its base transversely of the front of the heel zone, means adapted to permit said support to be longitudinally adjusted on said bed, and the supports defining the base of said triangle to be longitudinally adjusted in relation to the other of said supports, means to permit said base supperts to be independently laterally adjusted, and means to permit said supports to be independently adjusted vertically of said bed, a pair of guides adapted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means to permit said guides to be independently adjusted vertically and laterally whereby the contour of amodel last may be established rearwardly of the waist line.

20. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, a three point support for the heel zone of the last bottom carried by said bed and defining a triangle having its base transversely of the front of the heel zone, means adapted to permit said support to be longitudinally adjusted on said bed and the supports defining the base of said triangle to be longitudinally adjusted in relation to the other of said supports, means to permit said base supports to be independently laterally adjusted and means to permit said supports to be independently adjusted vertically'of said bed, a pair of guides adapted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means to permit said guides to be independently adjusted vertically and laterally whereby the contour of a model last may be established rearwardly of the waist line, and means to permit said cradle to be readjusted for different sizes of lasts of like style.

21. In a device for marking the turning axis of lasts reblocked forwardly of the waist line, a bed, aligned heel and toe punches supported a fixed distance from said bed, a three point support for the heel zone of the last bottom carried by said bed and defining a triangle having its base transversely of the front of the heel zone, means adapted to permit said support to be longitudinally adjusted on said bed, and the supports defining the base of said triangle to be longitudinally adjusted in relation to the other of said supports, means to permit said base supports to be independently laterally adjusted and means to permit said supports to be independently adjusted vertically of said bed, a pair of guides adapted to contact each side of the last upper substantially over the intersection of the waist and sole lines, means to permit said guides to be independently adjusted vertically and laterally whereby the contour of a model last may be established rear- Wardly of the waist line, and means to permit said base supports and said guides to be reversed to accommodate right and left lasts.

LOUIS W. REINHARDT. 

